Dental appliance



N. R. ERICKSON DENTAL APPLIANCE May 21, 1963 Filed Jan. 18, 1961 R m m m NORMAN R. ER/GKSON BY Z 452; M EJflmd A T TOR/VEVS rates Unite This invention relates to dental appliances and more particularly to an improved device for collecting and removing solid debris and liquid from the mouth of a patient during the conduct of dental operations therein.

In order to have direct vision of the operating field when using high speed cutting tools it is convenient to operate with the patients head reclined and supported in a horizontal position. When the patients head is in said horizontal position, great discomfort to the patient and inconvenience to the dentist will be avoided by using the device disclosed in Patent No. 2,937,445, which provides a receptacle for collecting liquid and solid material in a patients month during the performance of a dental operation therein.

The appliance of this invention is an improvement of the device disclosed in said patent, in that it provides for collection and drainage of liquids and debris that may gather or be secreted underneath a receptacle from the upper surface of which liquid is being drained at the same time. In addition this invention also provides novel means for positioning and holding an appliance of the type herein disclosed in place in patients mouth.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide an improved appliance for collecting liquid and solid material in a patients mouth during the performance of dental operations therein.

Another object of this invention is the provision of an improved receptacle capable of collecting and removing substantially all of the natural saliva as well as the introduced liquid from the mouth during the conduct of dental operations therein.

Still another object of this invention is the provision of means for positioning and holding a dental appliance in the patients mouth which gives said appliance positional stability during the performance of dental operations, and which permits rapid and convenient removal of said receptacle from patients mouth whenever such removal is desired.

Yet another object of this invention is the provision of a dental appliance for collecting and draining liquid and debris from a patients month during a dental operation, which appliance may be readily tolerated by a sensitive patient and add to his comfort.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the open mouth of a patient with the appliance of this invention in place;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken generally along lines 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken generally along lines 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the appliance of this invention; and,

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the appliance of this invention.

In general, the appliance of this invention comprises a receptacle supported at the end of a drain tube 11, having a bite block 12 mounted thereon.

Receptacle 10 is preferably integrally molded of a soft, flexible, waterproof or liquid impervious material, such as rubber or plastic, with a relatively thin cross section. The outer marginal portions of said receptacle slope upwardly away from the central, depressed portion 14 thereof and 3,09%,122 Patented May 21, 1963 are preferably progressively thinner toward their outer edges to progressively increase their flexibility.

Receptacle it) is provided with symmetrical palatal and lingual portions 17, 18 projecting oppositely outwardly from central portion 14 and a buccal portion 27 projecting from one side of said central portion, transversely of said portions 17, 18. At the side edges of portions 17, 18 opposite portion 27, receptacle 10 is provided with an outwardly opening pocket 26.

Pocket 26 is preferably integrally molded on the underside of receptacle ill so that the upper portion 34 of said pocket forms a sloping marginal portion adjacent depressed portion 14 and the lower portion 35 extends under and in spaced relation to said depressed portion. Upper portion 34 is provided with openings 41 communicating between depressed portion 14 and pocket 26, and lower portion 35 is provided with apertures 42 open ing laterally outwardly of the underside of receptacle 10 from the inner end of pocket 26.

An elongated, hollow, rigid tube 11 is provided for draining liquid and debris from receptacle 10 through openings 41 and apertures 42. Tube 11 is preferably formed of stainless steel or the like and is flattened at the one end portion 36 which is received in pocket 26. Said end portion may be cut at an angle to the axis of the tube so as to expose openings 41 and provide a lip 40 on the lower side of said tube projecting under said openings and inwardly of pocket 26 to apertures 42.

The other end of tube 11 is adapted to be connected to the hose 43 (FIG. 1) of a conventional aspirator or other vacuum source for drawing liquid and other debris from receptacle it) through openings 41 and apertures 42. Intermediate its ends tube 11 is preferably curved, as at 46, so as to extend downwardly away from the patients month while supporting receptacle 10 therein.

Receptacle 10 is adapted to be positioned in a dental patients mouth with tube 11 projecting therefrom. It will be noted that said receptacle is symmetrical about the axis of tube 11 and it may therefore be placed in either side of the mouth. In its proper position palatal and lingual portions 17, 18 of receptacle 10 overlie the roof or hard palate 19 (FIG. 2) and tongue 22 and floor 23 of the patients mouth.

Buccal portion 27 is adapted to extend between the distal surface of the last molars and the anterior border of ascending ramus 28 of mandible or jawbone 29. Portion 27 is formed with a narrow neck at 30 where it passes through the space between the last molars and said ascending ramus and is provided with laterally extending ears 31, 32 projecting oppositely outwardly behind said last molars in the vestibule of the mouth between the teeth and the cheeks or lips.

The thin, flexible marginal edges of receptacle 10 will accommodate themselves to the relatively insensitive tissues of the mouth at the gums, cheeks, palate 19 and fioor 23 in generally sealing engagement therewith without distracting appreciably from the comfort of the patient. With receptacle iii so sealed in the mouth substantially all of the debris and liquid associated with a dental operation on the teeth in the quadrants adjacent the receptacle will drain into depressed portion 14 thereof from portions 17, 18 and 27.

Between receptacle 10 and curved portion 46 tube 11 is provided with an enlargement in the form of a bite block 12 secured thereto and positioned so as to be firmly engaged by the patients teeth in the opposite side of the mouth from receptacle 10 (FIG. 1). Preferably block 12 is provided with a spherical outer surface and is formed from a meterial which may be relatively easily compressed by gripping in the patients teeth but is slow to recover its original shape when not so gripped.

block 12 serves to relax the patient.

A material suitable for this use is a relatively hard rubber mixed with clay or a like inelastic filler, which material gives the patient the satisfaction of being able to bite down hard on it without unduly compressing the block and yet to maintain a secure grip with a relatively relaxed bite and no conscious effort. The spherical surface of block 12 may be roughened, as with dimples 45 (FIG. 4), to enhance the feeling of better gripping by the patients teeth. An aperture through block 12 firmly receives tube 11 therein so that said block may be proper-ly positioned on said tube. Beyond curved portion 46 tube 11 extends away from the mouth so as to leave the field of dental operation clear.

When the device of this invention is properly in place with narrow neck 30 of buccal portion 27 resting on the soft tissue covering the ascending ramus 28 of the mandible 29, and the bite :block 12 held between upper teeth 20 and lower teeth 21, said device is firmly supported in position with a minimum of discomfort to the patient. ,Rigid tube 11 provides stifiening means for the central portion of receptacle as well as supporting said receptacle, in combination with buccal portion 27 and bite block 12, in the mouth. Furthermore, the use of bite The patient may rest his fleXor muscles against block 12 and allow his extensor muscles to relax, thus avoiding the strain that normally accompanies holding the mouth open during dental operations. In this manner, the patient automatically cooperates to hold receptacle 16 in its proper location.

When the device of this invention is in place marginal portions 17, 18,. 27, and 34 and the surrounding tissue of the mouth collect and drain into depressed portion 14 most of theliquid coolant used during high speed drilling, the debris resulting from said drilling, and a large part of the normal salivary secretion. The placement of receptacle 10 also causes the tongue 22 to be depressed into the door 23 of the mouth, and to be retruded so as to contact the soft palate. Such retrusion is a natural action and results in closing the oral cavity proper ofi from the oral pharynx, allowing patient to still breathe freely through his nose.

When the tongue is in the aforesaid position,,a channel 47 (FIG. 3) is formed at the lateral margins of the tongue where it lies adjacent the lower periodontium or dental arch. Since channel 47 is formed about the entire periphery of the tongue as it lies in contact with its adjacent soft tissues, said channel is continuous from one side of the mouth to the other.

Channel 47 will collect substantially all saliva, coolant liquid and debris that does not fall into the receptacle .10. As FIG. 3 shows, placement of the device as described positions apertures 42 adjacent channel 47, thus, the suction applied by the aspirator through hose 43 and tube 11 will withdraw the contents of depressed portion 14 through openings 41, and the contents of channel 47 through apertures 42. Preferably morethan one laterally opening aperture 42 is provided to prevent the tongue or other soft tissue from interfering with the drainage from channel 47 into tube 11. The relative sizes er openings 41 and apertures 42 may be releated to provide substantially the same draining capabilities from each into tube 11. a

The design and positioning of the appliance of this invention allows collection of substantially all liquid introduced during and debris resulting from conduct of a dental operation with patients mouth, and substantially all natural saliva as well, either through openings 41 at the upper surface of the receptacle 16 or through apertures 42 below said receptacle and adjacent channel 47 formed between tongue 22 and patients periodontium.

, As a result, no other dental appliance, such as the usual saliva ejector, need be used with the appliance of this invention.

Although the invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it is to be understood that modifications and design changes which would appear necessary Or desirable to a person skilled in the art are within the spirit of the invention and scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A dental appliance for collecting and removing liquid and debris from the mouth of a patient during the conduct of dental operations therein: comprising a flexible, waterproof receptacle adapted to fit within the side of the mouth and having a central depressed portion on the upper side thereof for receiving liquid and debris from above said receptacle, drain means connected to said receptacle and communicating with said central portion for draining liquid and debris therefrom, and apertures at the underside of said receptacle communicating with said drain means for draining liquid from the mouth beneath said receptacle.

2. A dental appliance for collecting and removing liquid and debris from the mouth of a patient during the conduct of dental operations therein: comprising a flexible, waterproof receptacle adapted to fit within the side of the mouth and having a central depressed portion on the upper side thereof for receiving liquid and debris from above said receptacle, drain means connected to said receptacle and communicating with said central portion for draining liquid and debris therefrom, and apertures at the underside of said receptacle communicating with said drain means for draining liquid from the mouth beneath said receptacle, said drain means being an elongated, relatively rigid member supporting said receptacle at one end thereof.

3. A dental appliance for collecting and removing liquid and debris from the mouth of a patient during the conduct of dental operations therein: comprising a flexible, waterproof receptacle adapted to fit within the side of the mouth and having a central depressed portion on the upper side thereof for receiving liquid and debris from above said receptacle, drain means connected to said receptacle and communicating with said central portion for draining liquid and debris therefrom, and apertures at the underside of said receptacle communicating with said drain means for draining liquid from the mouth beneath said receptacle, said drain means being an elongated, relateeth of the patient.

4. A dental appliance .for. collecting and removing liquid and debris from the mouth of a patient during the conduct of dental operations therein: comprising a flexible, Waterproof receptacle adapted to fit within the side of the mouth and having a central depressed portion on the upper side thereof for receiving liquid and debris from above said receptacle, marginal edge portions surrounding and extending slantingly upwardly from said central portion and adapted to be seated in substantially sealing engagement with the soft tissues of the mouth for draining to said central portion, drain means connected to said receptacle and communicating with said central portion for draining liquid and debris therefrom, and apertures at the underside of said receptacle communicating with said drain means for draining liquid from the month heneath said receptacle.

7 5. A dental appliance for collecting and removing liquid and debris from the mouth of a patient during the conduct of dental operations therein: comprising a flexible, waterproof receptacle adapted to fit within the side of the mouth and having a central, depressed portion on the upper, side thereof for receiving liquid and debris from above said receptacle, marginal edge portions surrounding and extending slantingly upwardly from said central portion and adapted to be seated in substantially sealing engagement with the soft tissues of the mouth for draining to said central portion, drain means connected to said receptacle and communicating with said central portion for draining liquid and debris therefrom, and apertures at the underside of said receptacle communicating with said drain means for draining liquid from the mouth beneath said receptacle, said receptacle being substantially symmetrical about an axis for fitting either side of the mouth.

6. A dental appliance for collecting and removing liquid and debris from the mouth of a patient during the conduct of dental operations therein, comprising: a soft, flexible, waterproof receptacle of relatively thin cross section adapted to fit within one side of the mouth and providing a central depressed portion for receiving liquid and debris, with oppositely extending palatal and lingual portions respectively adapted to fit in sealing engagement with portions of the roof and floor of the mouth, and with a buccal portion extending transversely of said palatal and lingual portions and adapted to extend between the distal surfaces of the last molars and the anterior border of the ascending ramus of the mandible at said one side of the mouth, a drain tube connected at one end of said receptacle and adapted to extend out of the other side of the mouth, and openings provided at the upper surface of said central portion and apertures opening outwardly downwardly of said receptacle and communicating with said drain tube for draining liquid and debris from said central portion and from the mouth beneath said receptacle.

7. A dental appliance for collecting and removing liquid and debris from the mouth of a patient during the conduct of dental operations therein, comprising: a soft, flexible, :waterproof receptacle of relatively thin cross section adapted to fit within one side of the mouth and providing a central depressed portion for receiving liquid and debris, with oppositely extending palatal and lingual portions respectively adapted to fit in sealing engagement with portions of the roof and floor of the mouth, and with a buccal portion extending transversely of said palatal and lingual portions and adapted to extend between the distal surfaces of the last molars and the anterior border of the ascending ramus of the mandible at said one side of the mouth, a drain tube connected at one end to said receptacle and adapted to extend out of the other side of the mouth, and openings provided at the upper surface of said central portions and apertures opening outwardly downwardly of said receptacle and communicating with said drain tube for draining liquid and debris from said central portion and from the mouth beneath said receptacle, said drain tube being rigid and connected to said central portion, said palatal and lingual portions being substantially symmetrical with respect to said tube whereby said receptacle may be so fitted in either side of the mouth.

8. A dental appliance for collecting and removing liquid and debris from the mouth of a patient during the conduct of dental operations therein, comprising: a soft, flexiole waterproof receptacle of relatively thin cross section adapted to fit within one side of the mouth and providing a central depressed portion for receiving liquid and debris, with oppositely extending palatal and lingual portions respectively adapted to fit in sealing engagement with portions of the roof and floor of the mouth, and with a buccal portion extending transversely of said palatal and lingual portions and adapted to extend between the distal surfaces of the last molars and the anterior border of the ascending ramus of the mandible at said one side of the mouth, :a drain tube connected at one end to said receptacle and adapted to extend out of the other side of the mouth, and openings provided at the upper surface of said central portion and apertures opening outwardly downwardly of said receptacle and communicating with said drain tube for draining liquid and debris from the central portion and from the mouth beneath said receptacle, said drain tube being rigid and connected to said central portion, said palatal and lingual portions being substantially symmetrical with respect to said tube whereby said receptacle may be so fitted in either side of the mouth, and a bite block secured to said tube spaced from said receptacle and adapted to be gripped by the patients teeth at the side of the mouth generally opposite said buccal portion.

9. A dental appliance for collecting and removing liquid and debris from the mouth of a patient during the conduct of dental operations therein, comprising: a soft, flexible, waterproof receptacle of relatively thin cross section adapted to fit within one side of the mouth and providing a central depressed portion for receiving liquid and debris, with oppositely extending palatal and lingual portions respectively adapted to fit in sealing engagement with portions of the roof and floor of the mouth, and with a buccal portion extending transversely of said palatal and lingual portions and adapted to extend between the distal surfaces of the last molars and the antcrior border of the ascending ramus of the mandible at said one side of the mouth, a drain tube connected at one end to said receptacle and adapated to extend out of the other side of the mouth, and openings provided at the upper surface of said central portion and apertures opening outwardly downwardly of said receptacle and cornmunicating with said drain tube for draining liquid and debris from said central portion and from the mouth beneath said receptacle, said palatal, lingual, and buccal portions being progressively thinner toward the outer free edges thereof.

10. A dental appliance, comprising a relatively soft, flexible member adapted to fit in the mouth of a patient with a portion thereof in engagement with the tissues of the month, an elongated rigid element supporting said member at one end and extending from said member in a direction opposite said portion, and an enlargement positioned on said element spaced from said member to be gripped by the teeth of the patient for holding the mouth open to permit dental operations to be conducted therein.

11. A dental appliance, comprising a relatively soft, flexible member adapted to fit in the mouth of a patient with a portion thereof extending between the last molars and the ascending ramus of the mandible at one side of the mouth, an elongated, rigid element supporting said member at one end and projecting therefrom in a direction opposite said portion, and a relatively hard bite block secured on said element spaced from said member and adapted to be gripped by the patients teeth at the other side of the mouth.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,882,893 Godfroy Apr. 21, 1959 

1. A DENTAL APPLIANCE FOR COLLECTING AND REMOVING LIQUID AND DEBRIS FROM THE MOUTH OF A PATIENT DURING THE CONDUCT OF DENTAL OPERATIONS THEREIN: COMPRISING A FLEXIBLE, WATERPROOF RECEPTACLE ADAPTED TO FIT WITHIN THE SIDE OF THE MOUTH AND HAVING A CENTRAL DEPRESSED PORTION ON THE UPPER SIDE THEREOF, FOR RECEIVING LIQUID AND DEBRIS FROM ABOVE SAID RECEPTACLE, DRAIN MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID RECEPTACLE AND COMMUNICATING WITH SAID CENTRAL PORTION FOR DRAINING LIQUID AND DEBRIS THEREFROM, AND APERTURES AT THE UNDERSIDE OF SAID RECEPTACLE COMMUNICATING WITH SAID DRAIN MEANS FOR DRAINING LIQUID FROM THE MOUTH BENEATH SAID RECEPTACLE. 